Volunteers pour beer at the Oregon Brewers Festival, which is already registering people to serve for this year’s event. The early shifts tend to fill up quickly. Photo by Alethea Smartt LaRowe

By Alethea Smartt LaRoweFor the Oregon Beer GrowlerLove to drink beer but short on funds? For a few hours of your time you can gain free entry to most festivals, a T-shirt, the requisite drinking vessel and some tasting tokens. All you have to do is sign up to volunteer. Options usually include pouring beer (OLCC license required at some fests; be sure to check online to verify), handling token sales and recycling duty. For those with more experience, you can become a supervisor, thereby earning even more tokens. Taking the last shift of the day or of the festival often gets you free food and pitchers of beer or a gift certificate to a local business. Most volunteer tasks are for adults age 21 and over. Many festivals donate some or all of the net proceeds to local charities, so be sure to toast yourself for your efforts!The Oregon Beer Growler also uses volunteers to help run our booth at festivals. Interested beer lovers should follow our Facebook page for sign-up announcements or email editor@oregonbeergrowler.com.AprilEvent: Spring Beer & Wine FestDates: April 3-4Location: Oregon Convention Center, PortlandDescription: Sampling, seminars and chefs teach the masses about pairing beverages with everything from cheese to chocolate. Brewers from all over the West Coast flock to the Spring Beer & Wine Fest, pouring rare beers and perennial favorites.Volunteer Info:http://www.springbeerfest.com/volunteers.htmEvent: The Rogue Valley Fermentation CelebrationDates: April 24-25Location: Harry & David Field, MedfordDescription: This inaugural celebration will gather some of the best beers and whiskeys from across the Northwest, in addition to regional wines and ciders. Local foods to compliment craft beverages will be available at the event.Volunteer Info:http://roguebrewfest.com/volunteer/MayEvent: Cinco de MicroDates: May 1-2Location: Salem Convention Center, SalemDescription: The fourth-annual Cinco de Micro Brewfest features favorite local and Northwest brews, eateries and distilleries, musical entertainment and the unique opportunity to taste hard-to-find, spring-release brews. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Salem.Website:www.cincodemicro.comVolunteer Contact: Stephanie Compton scompton@bgc-salem.org503-581-7383, ext. 20Event: Cheers to Belgian BeersDates: May 8-9Location: Metalcraft Fabrication, PortlandDescription: Cheers to Belgian Beers is back for its ninth year in 2015. The Belgian-style Ale Festival will feature a single yeast strain for the beers entered, determined by a dart throw to diversify the color and strength of the beers.Volunteer Info:http://ocb.events-connect.com/Event: Brewer’s Memorial Ale FestivalDates: May 15-16Location: Rogue Ales Brewer’s on the Bay, NewportDescription: This annual event was created in memory of Rogue brewmaster John Maier's faithful companion Brewer, who passed away on May 20, 2006. Brewer grew up in the brewery and eventually rose to the rank of CEO of Rogue Ales. The dog-friendly festival is held inside the brewery and includes more than 50 microbrews, live music and many dog-themed events.Website:https://www.facebook.com/BREWERSMEMORIALFESTVolunteer Contact: Al Jorgenson bigal@rogue.com503-241-3800

Friends enjoy Portland International Beerfest, which will be held June 26–28 at Holladay Park in Portland. Photo by Alethea Smartt LaRowe

JuneEvent: Eugene Beer WeekDates: June 1-7Location: Eugene Beer Week takes place at more than 20 venues including breweries, bars, restaurants and other beer-centric businesses.Description: Have fun and help promote craft beer in Eugene and craft beer culture in the Willamette Valley with the annual Eugene Beer week. With more than 60 events last year, the festival plans to expand even more for the 2015 celebration!Website:http://eugenebeerweek.org/Volunteer Contact: Mike Coplin eugenebeerweek@gmail.comEvent: Sasquatch Brew FestDate: June 6Location: Hop Valley Brewing, EugeneDescription: The annual Sasquatch Brew Fest will be hosted outdoors in the “Fermentation District” of the Whiteaker neighborhood. This celebration features food vendors, a silent auction, raffles, a beer dinner and a homebrew contest. Winner of the “Best of Show” award will be announced live during the festival.Website:http://www.northwestlegendsfoundation.org/contact_sassy.phpEvent: Molalla Brew FestDates: June 11-13Location: 123 Ross St., MolallaDescription: Celebrating the craft beer industry in and around the Pacific Northwest, the Molalla Brew Fest features more than 25 taps, plus wine, hard cider, draft root beer, food concessions and great local bands.Website:https://www.facebook.com/molallabrewfestivalVolunteer Contact: Kristy Wheeler 503-970-8859Event: Portland Fruit Beer FestivalDates: June 12-14Location: Burnside Brewing Company, PortlandDescription: A weekend-long, street fair-style outdoor festival atBurnside Brewing, theFruit Beer Festivalfeatures more than 40 refreshing, well-crafted fruit beers, most of which have been brewed specifically for this event.Volunteer Info:http://www.fruitbeerfest.com/Event: The Oregon Garden BrewfestDates: June 19–21Location: The Oregon Garden, SilvertonDescription: Enjoy 65 breweries pouring 130 beers, ciders and meads from producers throughout Oregon and across the country, plus 12 great regional bands on two stages and food from local vendors. The brewfest is held indoors, but guests are welcome to explore the 80-acre botanical garden.Website:www.oregongarden.org/events/brewfestVolunteer Contact: Beth Mauer volunteer@oregongarden.org503-874-2533Event: Eastern Oregon Beer FestivalDates: June 19-20Location: Union County Fairgrounds, La GrandeDescription: La Grande Main Street Downtown organization is pleased to announce the second-annual Eastern Oregon Beer Festival will be a two-day event with special beers never before poured in the Pacific Northwest, regional food and craft vendors and music and entertainment.Volunteer Info:http://www.eobeerfest.org/volunteer/Event: Portland International BeerfestDates: June 26-28Location: Holladay Park, PortlandDescription: Drawing more than 150 brews from at least 15 countries to a beer garden setting, thePortland International Beerfest puts Beervana on the map, letting locals punch their passport with worldly offerings like barrel-aged strong ales, barley wines, sours, imperial stouts, farmhouse ales and double IPAs.Volunteer Info:http://www.portland-beerfest.com/volunteerinfo.php

The Eastern Oregon Beer Festival expands to two days in its second year. It’s held at the Union County Fairgrounds in La Grande. Photo by Andi Prewitt

JulyEvent: Portland Craft Beer FestivalDates: July 3-5Location: The Fields Neighborhood Park, PortlandDescription: This new festival’s goal is to host an annual premier craft beer event that enables all breweries within the city limits of Portland to showcase their beers on a common stage. Aside from beer, there will be selections of Portland-crafted ciders and wines, as well as locally based food vendors.Volunteer Info:http://www.portlandcraftbeerfestival.com/volunteersEvent: Oregon Brewers FestivalDates: July 22-26Location: Tom McCall Waterfront Park, PortlandDescription: Celebrating its 28th year, theOregon Brewers Festival brings more than 80 craft brews to Portland for a five-day brewfest, the largest gathering of its kind in North America. One of the country’s longest-running and best-loved craft beer festivals, the event features scores of award-winning beers, live music, food vendors, beer memorabilia and homebrewing demonstrations.Volunteer Info:http://www.oregonbrewfest.com/index2.php?p=volunteerEvent: Bite & Brew of SalemDates: July 23-26Location: Riverfront Park, SalemDescription: The Bite & Brew of Salem is a three-day festival featuring more than 15 bands on two outdoor stages, several local eateries, more than 60 beers on tap, Willamette Valley wines and endless entertainment for kids of all ages.Website:www.thebiteandbrew.comVolunteer Contact: Krista Unruh kristaunruh@gmail.com503-307-6256AugustEvent: Bones and BrewsDates: Aug. 1-2Location: Rogue Ales Public House, PortlandDescription: Bones and Brews is an annual event held by Rogue as the annual meeting of Rogue Nation Citizens. More than 30 different beers, ciders and sodas from Rogue and other breweries are featured. Local barbecue restaurants and catering companies set up shop to cook new and classic barbecue dishes and participate in a friendly competition. Rogue Nation Citizens also form barbecue teams and compete for People's Choice Awards.Volunteer Contact: Al Jorgenson bigal@rogue.com503-241-3800Event: Oakridge Keg & Cask FestivalDate: Aug. 8Location: Uptown District, OakridgeDescription: This small festival in front of the Brewers Union in Oakridge gives a taste of the many small breweries and wineries in Oregon. Now in its fifth year, they are expanding to include additional food and craft vendors as well as a slate of musicians.Volunteer Contact: George Custer georgecuster191@msn.com541-225-8484Event: Bend BrewfestDates: Aug. 13-16Location: Les Schwab Amphitheater, BendDescription: Four full days of hop, yeast and malted barley bliss on the banks of the Deschutes River. Featuring more than 170 different options of beer, cider and wine and a fine selection of food from local vendors.Volunteer Info:http://bendbrewfest.com/volunteer.htmlEvent: North American Organic Brewers FestivalDates: Aug. 13-16Location: Overlook Park, PortlandDescription: Designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living, the NAOBF serves up nearly 60 organic beers & ciders from around the nation. From summery saisons to rich and hearty stouts, the festival offers beers to please every palate. There’s also live music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors and nonprofits, and a children’s area.Volunteer Info:http://www.naobf.org/volunteer-signup/Event: Nano Beer FestDates: Aug. 14-16Location: Max’s Fanno Creek Brew Pub, TigardDescription: Featuring more than 25 different special and seasonal beers from smaller nanobreweries in Oregon, Idaho and Washington as well as live music and meet-the-brewer sessions. Beer stations are set up under a large tented area in the back parking lot, with seating there, along the creek side of the pub and on the patio.Volunteer Info:http://nanobeerfest.com/volunteer.asp

Bend Brewfest volunteer shifts will open June 1. You can sign up to pour beer or several other options. No serving license is required. Photo by Andi Prewitt

SeptemberEvent: The Little WoodyDates: Sept. 4-5Location: Des Chutes Historical Museum, BendDescription: To commemorate one of Central Oregon’s hallmarks — craft beer — and lend a nod to the historic techniques used by brewers with oaken casks, The Little Woody features small-batch beers aged in wood barrels by top Northwest breweries.Volunteer Info:http://thelittlewoody.com/volunteer/Event: Eugene Brews Cruise 5KDate: Sept. 7Location: Hop Valley Brewing, EugeneDescription: This year’s Brews Cruise will be a Labor Day celebration! Runners will start at Hop Valley Brewing and wind their way to Railroad Boulevard, continuing on down River Road. Loop back around for a tour of the Maurie Jacobs Park paths and return to the North Whiteaker District for a finish line celebration at Hop Valley.Website:http://www.level32racing.com/Brews_Cruise.htmlVolunteer Contact: james@level32racing.comEvent: Oregon Brews & BBQsDates: Sept. 11-13Location: Granary District, McMinnvilleDescription: Oregon Brews & BBQs is all about great food, great regional brews and a whole lot of fun! This event features more than 50 taps serving craft beer from at least 35 breweries for your enjoyment throughout the weekend, delicious barbecue and other food delights, as well as live music.Volunteer Info:http://oregonbrewsandbbq.com/volunteer/Event: The Taste of Oregon’s Old WestDate: Sept. 12Location: Cottonwood Canyon State Park, between Condon and WascoDescription: This new festival showcases the beverages (including beer), food and recreation to be found in the beautiful John Day River basin. Every year, the event will rotate through the four sub-regions of the Eastern Oregon Visitors Association: John Day River Territory (Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler and Grant Counties), Northeast Oregon (Wallowa, Baker and Union), Oregon’s Rugged Country (Umatilla and Morrow) and Southeast Oregon (Malheur and Harney).Website:http://www.visiteasternoregon.com/entry/taste-of-oregons-old-westVolunteer Contact: Janet Dodson janetd@eoni.com541-786-8006Event: Single Batch Bier FestDate: Mid-late September (TBD)Location: Oakshire Brewing Public House, EugeneDescription: The Single Batch Bier Fest celebrates creative, single-batch brews, and the annual hop harvest season including fresh-hopped beers, pumpkin beers and other fall varietal favorites.Website:http://oakbrew.com/Volunteer Contact: Meridy Wheeler meridy@oakbrew.comEvent: Mount Angel OktoberfestDates: Sept. 17-20Location: Downtown Mount AngelDescription: This year marks the 50th anniversary of this philanthropic event that celebrates the harvest, Bavarian style. Along with 50 food booths and a large arts and crafts show, the traditional Biergarten, family Weingarten and interactive Alpinegarten entertainment venues have something for everyone.Website:http://www.oktoberfest.org/Volunteer Contact: info@oktoberfest.orgEvent: Newberg OktoberfestDates: Sept. 18-19Location: Memorial Park, NewbergDescription: It’s the third year for this family-oriented event brought to you by the Rotary Club of Newberg Early Birds along with local sponsors. Highlights include the grand opening parade, craft brews, live music, a wiener dog race, lederhosen contest and children’s activity tents.Website:http://www.newbergoktoberfest.com/Volunteer Contact: Chris Irwin irwintc@frontier.comEvent: Bend OktoberfestDates: Sept. 18-19, 2015Location: Oregon Avenue, BendDescription: Sample traditional Bavarian foods, beers from Central Oregon breweries, wines and ciders and listen to live music at this 10th-annual celebration of Oktoberfest. This all-ages festival offers something for everyone, including wiener dog races and absurd games of skill like yodeling, stein holding, hammerschlagen and more.Volunteer Info:http://bendoktoberfest.com/volunteer/Event: Independence Fresh Hop FestDates: Sept. 18-19Location: Riverview Park, IndependenceDescription: The Independence Hop & Heritage Festival happens every last full weekend in September. It features vendors who sell local crafts and foods along with contests like pie eating, scarecrow building and homebrewing.Volunteer Info:http://www.hopfestival.org/#!contact/c5fiEvent: Southern Oregon Brew FestDates: Sept. 18-20Location: The Expo, Central PointDescription: Celebrate abundance and reap the rewards of harvest time at the Southern Oregon Harvest Festival and Brew Fest. Featuring more than 60 craft beers, a fierce homebrew competition, plus food, music and lots of old-fashioned fun for the whole family.Volunteer Info:http://www.attheexpo.com/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=3Event: Pacific Northwest Brew CupDates: Sept. 25-27Location: Various locations, AstoriaDescription: Now in its 14th year, this festival features more than 30 Northwest beers on tap, along with live music, food vendors and activities for the kiddos. Enjoy some limited-edition beers at the Brewer’s Reception on Thursday night and fuel up at the Brewer’s Breakfast on Saturday morning.Volunteer Info:http://pacificnorthwestbrewcup.com/volunteer/Event: Hood River Hops FestDate: Sept. 26Location: Downtown Hood RiverDescription: The Hood River Hops Fest is a beer lover’s dream, serving up 65 fresh-hop beers from more than 45 regional breweries. Fun for the whole family, this festival offers a full lineup of live music, great local food, arts and craft vendors and a children’s area.Website:http://hoodriver.org/hops-festVolunteer Info:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hood-River-Hops-Fest/127886120593522Event: Sisters Fresh Hop FestivalDate: Sept. 26Location: Sisters Village Green Park, SistersDescription: This fifth-annual event features brews from around the state of Oregon and their unique fresh hop flavors. All breweries that participate bring at least one fresh-hop beer (meaning the brews are made with hops straight off the bine)!Website:http://www.sisterscountry.com/fresh-hopVolunteer Contact: Jeri Buckmann jeri@sisterscountry.com 541-549-0251